Category Archives: patience

Their Greatest Achievement? Alexander Remnev’s selfie on the 414-metre-high Princess Tower in Dubai

Ever been asked about your greatest achievement? How do you think your age impacted your answer? Is it behind you or before you?

Documenting and cataloging our achievements helps us keep score. Likely helping us measure against another human’s achievements. The achievements of mankind are epic and frankly hard to live up to. I remember thinking about Alexander the Great conquering the known world in his 30’s while I was still in my 20’s. I guess, that represents the greatest achievement of a modern man. Hard for every man after him to compare to that achievement. What would I conquer? Now, I know the biggest thing my twenty-something self needed to conquer was youthful fears.

I know now, that I’ve already achieved more than Alexander. I made it to my forties. HA!! It turns out, most of our greatest achievements are personal victories that likely mean very little to the outside world. Perhaps, with a few more decades worth of birthdays I’ll conquer the remaining fears and cross a few more things off of my bucket list. Will I look back with envy or continue to look forward?

I hope to achieve a lot more things, but my some of my goals seem more modest. No less easy for me, but more simple. What energy can I put forth that will positively impact my little corner of the world every day? And, if God sees fit to let me walk this earth another 40+ years I’m sure I’ll continue to ponder this question of past, present and future achievements. I faithfully believe in an after-life. No, I won’t be back to relive my life as a bug, tree or eagle (though, wings would be cool). Hopefully, on my 90th birthday, I’ll still see the potential for greatness ahead.

Aside

Helen Keller said, “The best and most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen or even touched. They must be felt with the heart.” As I sit waiting to meet my third child, I reflect on the beauty of unseen things. The Zen of Fatherhood.

Enlightenment through deep thought. Reaching higher levels of understanding through a natural progression of experience. Fatherhood allows me to reach higher levels of understanding about things I thought I already knew.

LEARNING – My first son changed my life forever. Not that I wasn’t prepared for that, but I did not know to what extent. I learned to love their learning process. Watching the wonderment in their faces when they discover something new is priceless. If only I could remember to learn with such enthusiasm.

PATIENCE – God knows, one of my greatest flaws remains impatience. I often forget how unimportant spilled milk really is in the grand scheme of things. Usually, the dog will lick it up anyway. I think being a father has made me a more empathetic person and leader.

LOVE – Experiencing the love a parent feels for a child is like nothing I have ever experienced. Sure, I love my spouse, parents, siblings, friends, etc, but nothing compares. I know there is very little I wouldn’t sacrifice to ensure they are safe and successful.

WEALTH – I suppose I’m less motivated by money than some and more so than others. However, fatherhood has brought more wealth into my life in the last 5 years than the previous 30 combined. While I won’t stop developing myself and looking for ways to build financial stability for my family, I have nonetheless discovered the wealth of blessings I already possess.

Yes, fatherhood brings a form of zen into one’s life. Multiple paths exist toward enlightenment for all, but my path led me to this higher level of understanding. I look forward to reaching ever higher levels in the future and passing as much as possible down to my descendants.